Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan Ranking System

The International Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan Association (IYFTCCA) created the Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan Ranking System and designed it to coordinate its development with that of the Chinese Martial Arts Ranking System. Furthermore, the IYFTCCA intends to use components of its Ranking System to contribute to the worldwide development of Tai Chi Chuan and to promote its health benefits.

Purposes of the IYFTCCA Ranking System

Provide a means to assess the proficiency of Association members in Traditional Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan skills and knowledge;

Regulate the Association’s requirements for authorizing instructors to teach;

Acknowledge extraordinary contributions of individuals to the Association and to Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan;

Support the purposes and functions of the Association’s Division of Education and Training;

Promote the benefits and expand the influence of Traditional Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan;

Promote the benefits of regular practice of Tai Chi Chuan;

Contribute to the future development of Tai Chi Chuan and of Traditional Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan.

Tiers of Ranks

Within the Ranking System, there are two tiers of ranks. Primary Ranks (“Jie”) are stages of achievement preliminary to the Classic Ranks (“Duan”).

Primary Ranks

Students have the option to enter the Ranking System in preliminary stages or “Primary Ranks.” Compared to the Classic Ranks, these units are simpler and shorter, and the examination is conducted by a single Reviewer rather than a committee and is less formal, so that testing conditions minimize student anxiety and make the Ranking System less intimidating. The purpose of this tier is to encourage new or current students to enter the Ranking System.

Students are not required to go through the Primary Ranks and may elect to test directly for Classic Rank One at any time after one year of study.

Students who do enter the Jie Ranks must complete them before progressing to the Classic Ranks.

Classic Ranks

The Classic Ranks represent levels of achievement that indicate a student’s progression through the standard curriculum of the Traditional Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan teachings. These examinations are more complex and are detailed in the body of this handbook.

Primary Ranks

Levels and Names of the Primary Ranks

There are three Primary Ranks that may be awarded: One, Two, and Three. Each section of the Traditional 103-form is tested separately.

Primary One or Jie One is awarded for Section One, Primary Two or Jie Two is awarded for Section Two, and Primary Three or Jie Three is awarded for Section Three.

Classic Ranks

There are nine Classic Ranks that may be awarded. Listed below are the factors considered when these ranks are awarded:

The contributions to the growth and development of Traditional Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan.

Beginner Ranks One, Two, Three

Intermediate Ranks Four, Five, Six

Advanced Ranks Seven, Eight, Nine

Specifications for Each Rank

Practitioners of Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan must be 8 years or older, achieve a score of at least 7 points in the entry level test on the first section of the form, and receive teaching in the moral code of martial arts in order to enter the ranking system.

Beginner Ranks

Rank One (Copper Eagle):

Individuals who have practiced Traditional Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan for at least one year or who have earned 150 Academy credits; achieved a score of at least 7.5 points in the test of Traditional Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan Hand Form; achieved a score of at least 60 points in the first level written test of history and theory; and who adhere to the moral code of martial arts may apply to advance to Rank One.

Rank Two(Silver Eagle):

Individuals who have practiced Traditional Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan for at least one year after attaining Rank One or who have earned 300 Academy credits; achieved a score of at least 8 points in the test of Traditional Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan Hand Form; achieved a score of at least 65 points in the second level written test of history and theory; and who adhere to the moral code of martial arts may apply to advance to Rank Two.

Rank Three (Gold Eagle):

Individuals who have practiced Traditional Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan for at least one year after attaining Rank Two or who have earned 450 Academy credits; achieved a score of at least 8.3 points in the test of Traditional Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan Hand Form and a score of at least 8.0 in the test of either the Sword or Saber Form; achieved a score of at least 70 points in the third level written test of history and theory; and who adhere to the moral code of martial arts may apply to advance to Rank Three.

Beginner Ranks 1-3 do not require tests for Push Hands Skills.

Intermediate Ranks

Rank Four (Copper Tiger):

Individuals who have practiced Traditional Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan for at least two years after attaining Rank Three or who have earned 750 Academy credits; achieved a combined score of at least 25.8 points (and no score below 8.3) in the tests of Traditional Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan Hand Form, the Sword Form, and the Saber Form; achieved a score of at least 75 points in the fourth level written test of history and theory; and satisfactorily performed the Push Hands Skills requirements for Rank Four; and who adhere to the moral code of martial arts may apply to advance to Rank Four.

Rank Five (Silver tiger):

Individuals who have practiced Traditional Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan for at least two years after attaining Rank Four or who have earned 1050 Academy credits; achieved a combined score at least 26.4 points (and no score below 8.3) in the tests of Traditional Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan Hand Form, the Sword Form, and the Saber Form; achieved a score of at least 80 points in the fifth level written test of history and theory; and satisfactorily performed the Push Hands Skills requirements for Rank Five; and who adhere to the moral code of martial arts may apply to advance to Rank Five.

Rank Six(Gold Tiger):

Individuals who have practiced Traditional Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan for at least two years after attaining the Rank Five or who have earned 1400 Academy credits; achieved a combined score of at least 27 points (and no score below 8.3) in the tests of Traditional Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan Hand Form, the Sword Form, and the Saber Form; achieved a score of at least 85 points in the sixth level written test of history and theory; and satisfactorily performed the Push Hands Skills requirements for Rank Six; and who adhere to the moral code of martial arts may apply to advance to Rank Six.

Advanced Ranks

Rank Seven (Copper Dragon):

Individuals must have practiced Traditional Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan for at least six years after attaining the Rank Six. Individuals who have achieved a certain level of success, influence or recognition, in work, research, and writing or publishing in martial arts theory, and who have a high level of martial virtue may apply to advance to Rank Seven.

Rank Eight (Silver Dragon):

Individuals must have practiced Traditional Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan for at least five years after attaining the Rank Seven. Individuals who have achieved a certain level of success, influence or recognition, in work, research, and writing or publishing in martial arts theory, have contributed significantly to the development of Traditional Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan, and who have a high level of martial virtue may apply to advance to Rank Eight.

Rank Nine (Gold Dragon):

After attaining Rank Eight, individuals who have achieved a great level of success and have substantial influence, by means of work, research, and writing or publishing in martial arts theory, have contributed greatly to the development of Traditional Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan, and whose influence is large, and who have a high level of martial virtue may apply to advance to Rank Nine.

Method of Testing

The methods of testing include competitions and standardized ranking examinations. Those who respect the martial code, love martial arts, have a certain level of martial ability and understanding of theory may request a rank. Only ranking committees that have been given ranking rights by the International Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan Association can organize ranking tests. Judges for ranking committees must be selected from the Judges Registry and meet the qualifications as described in the Judges and Ranking Handbook.

Competitions

Competitions authorized or sponsored by the International Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan Association may be structured in such a way that scores from performances may be applied to ranking levels. Other conditions may also be required for the equivalent of passing a ranking examination and being awarded a rank.

Standardized Ranking Examinations

The Association’s standardized ranking examinations, as described in the Judges and Ranking Handbook, are the most commonly used method for members to enter and advance through the Ranking System. There is no limit on the number of Ranking Events a Center or Sponsor may hold during a year. For each Ranking Event, a separate application must be submitted to and approved by the Judges and Ranking Department.